Bethesda Contracting Co

unknown

Many problems. Refused to get DC permit. Slow to start and the job dragged on into the next year. Switched out person responsible for job despite representations that owner (oldest brother and father) would be that person. Billing disputes and errors. Loosey goosey with contract terms and billing. Resented emails detailing problems on job. Personnel showed up often unannounced talled and not introduced to owners. Wrong kitchen counter top installed and only corrected after hostile and difficult exchanges. Ultimately the finished job was good but it was an adventure.

We had a great initial experience with Bethesda Contracting - they showed up on time and provided us with a reasonable quote within a few days of meeting. We emailed back after the quote with some questions....and never heard back. That was about a month ago. Disappointing!

Always on time, wonderful work crews who clean up after themselves at the end of every day and are very easy to have in the house. The projects have all come in on time, and at the stated budget. Everything is always straightforward and thorough. I recommend Bethesda Contracting without reservation.

If you want to renovate an old place, Bethesda Contractors is the firm to use. They are small and local -- the eleven employees all live in Maryland. It is a family owned business so you always have one of the partners overseeing your project. I dealt with Mike Thiede. All the workers I met, whether with Thiede's firm or sub-contractors, had been working with Mike for years. When complications arose in getting the permission of the co-op board to the renovations Mike came to two lengthy meetings, both at night, to give detailed information. When a hitch developed in getting the a/c ducts to the roof top a/c unit, he found a solution that pleased everyone. My foreman/carpenter and general handyman, Fred Prince, taught high school Math and Physics for ten years, but he had worked in construction in high school and summers and loved working with his hands. He decided after years of teaching that not all high school students are college material and tried to introduce vocational training. When the school administrators rejected his proposal he left to work in construction. He decided after a few years to join Bethesda Contractors and let Mike handle negotiations and contracts. When asked what was most notable about Mike Thiede as a contractor, Fred cited his drive to complete every detail of the job perfectly. On my job, Fred was the man on the spot who made the difference in ensuring that every detail of the work was done right, his own or that of sub-contractors. Prince was the carpenter who installed the extensive shelving and did endless dry wall and plastering. His work was wonderful. I have always owned old dwellings that needed renovation and maintenance. I have never had the pleasure of dealing with a contractor like Mike. No detail was too small for him to handle. He lived up to his word and charged fairly. I would not undertake another job with anyone else. My fellow co-op owners are lining up to have him work for them, as is my daughter who lives near-by. We had a general contract but I added jobs as the work progressed. Mike Thiede was readily accessible and we reached agreement on the cost and scope of each new task. Fred Prince was the man on the spot who made the difference in ensuring that every detail of the work was done right, his own or that of sub-contractors. He was the carpenter who installed the extensive shelving and did endless dry wall and plastering. His work was wonderful. I have always owned old dwellings that needed renovation and maintenance. I have never had the pleasure of dealing with a contractor like Mike. No detail was too small for him to handle. He lived up to his word and charged fairly. I would not undertake another job with anyone else. As for dos and don'ts, it is important to communicate clearly and to anticipate additional needs as early as possible.